Following the theme of KINDA GREEK, here’s a non Greek recipe. At least it’s close to Greece..

I already I know what you’re thinking. “This is tasty and I should make it”.

Yes, you should!

I love meatballs, but rarely had them with pine nuts and currants (or raisins) as I grew up eating the Greek version that’s full of mint. After being mind blown multiple times having this saucy side dish at Italian restaurants, I decided it’s got to be on this blog and went out to research how to make this. The following recipe is a “best of” the research and testing I did over the past few weeks. So here goes…..

MEATBALLS

• 2 lb lean ground beef (or 1 lb beef and 1 lb ground pork)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup currants or raisins
• small bunch of Italian parsley, finely chopped
• a few leaves basil, cut small
• a hand-full of white bread, no crust
• 1 cup milk
• salt and pepper to taste

SAUCE

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 28oz can tomato puree or passata
• 1 small can tomato sauce
• 1 cup red wine

Making the Meatballs:

In a mixing bowl, add ground meat, pine nuts, raisins, eggs, cheese, parsley, and basil. Soak the bread in the milk, then squeeze out the excess milk.  Break it up and add it to the bowl.   

Mix it up and form into small meatballs.

Making the Sauce

Saute the onion and saute in the olive oil until softened.  Add the wine and can of tomatoes.  Bring to a boil.

You can either fry off the meatballs or roast them up on a baking sheet before adding to the sauce. If you want them super tender, drop them in the sauce without pre cooking and let them braise in the sauce.

Add meatballs (carefully so you don’t break them up.). Cook uncovered on medium heat for about 30 minutes. The meatballs come out suuuper tender and absorb the sauce within. You can’t get this kind of tenderness if you cook them separately beforehand.

Easy as that!  Looks good, huh?

Serve it up a nice Greek salad. The Greek salad makes it KINDA GREEK!..

Please let me know what you think of this version of these little babies. If you have an suggestions, do let me know.